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PNS Daily Newscast - November 19, 2018.

More than 1,200 missing in the California wildfires. Also on the Monday rundown: A pair of reports on gun violence in the nation; and concerns that proposed changes to 'Green Card' rules favor the wealthy.

Survey: Americans Willing to Pay to Keep Social Security Solvent

Photo: A new survey finds broad support across party lines from American 21 and older for the value of Social Security, even when it comes to paying a little more to expand benefits. Photo credit: Jane M. Sawyer/Morguefile.

The survey of Americans 21 and older found three out of four "value" Social Security, with 86 percent agreeing the current program does not provide sufficient income for beneficiaries.

Stephen Gorina, a member of the National Academy of Social Insurance, says the long-standing federal program has broad support.

"Large numbers of people, including many Republicans whom you might not expect, were willing to pay a bit more to ensure Social Security is solvent well beyond the next 75 years," he says.

The study was based on an online survey conducted in June of more than 2,000 Americans aged 21 and over. Gorin says an August survey of voters found similar support.

"Of likely 2014 voters, 79 percent said they'd like to see it expanded," says Gorin. "As important as Social Security is, the benefits are not luxurious, so many people believe the benefits need to be expanded."

Gorin says the new survey also found more Americans willing to make tradeoffs to enhance Social Security, like the gradual increase of one percent over 20 years on the Social Security tax rate.

"Somebody earning $50,000 a year might wind up paying 50 cents a week more each year," he says. "That would be matched by the employer, and that would go a long way to ensuring the stability of the Social Security Trust Fund."

He says most of those surveyed want to see a package of fixes that would support and expand Social Security for 75 years and beyond.